​Debating Our Destiny (A)

A. Prior to 1960, presidential debates for the Presidency did not occur (film). Richard

Nixon, running as a Republican and was Vice President at the time, and John F.

Kennedy, running as a Democrat, were the first to debate and it was broadcasted on TV

and radio in the U.S. (film). The debates were better for Kennedy, as they acted as his

very charming introduction to the American public (film). The debates did not benefit

Nixon as much, especially the first one (film). He could have been sick during this

debate, but even if this was truthful, it does not ​fully​ explain why he lost the presidency

(film). Nixon was found to have done better based on those who heard the debates on the

radio and the opposite was true for those who saw them on TV, which is mostly accurate

(film). However, because Kennedy just barely beat Nixon in the election, this could not

be statistically relevant (film). The debates are not remembered for what the candidates

had said, but for the images and enduring importance to presidential campaigns in the

future (film).

B. For 16 years after 1960 presidential debates were refused by candidates, not to return

until 1976 (film). Several years between the elections made it seem like Nixon vs.

Kennedy debates would be an exception and an outlier to normal presidential campaigns

(1). Lyndon B. Johnson and Nixon were the candidates who refused to debate, for

varying reasons (1). Johnson had taken office after Kennedy’s assassination, and because

he was already ahead in the polls he decided that debating had a chance at messing up his

lead (2). His further involvement in the Vietnam War may have also ruined a beneficial

debate for him (2). Hubert Humphrey wanted to debate Nixon in 1968, but still worried
 and harmed by the results of his last debate, Nixon refused (1). When George McGovern

wanted to debate Nixon in 1972, although Nixon was far ahead in the polls, he still

refused, possibly still bitter and afraid since his last debate (1).

C. In 1976 debates during the candidacy continued steadily (film). Gerald Ford and Jimmy

Carter were the first to agree to debate for presidency in 1976 (film). Ford, the

Republican candidate, took over the presidency that Nixon resigned from (film). Ford

was a full 30 points behind because of the disaster of a presidency he acquired (film).

Carter, the Democratic candidate, did not need the debate, however he had accepted to

the debate in order to give Ford a fair chance (film). 1975 was the worst recession,

unemployment and inflation that America had experienced in some 40 years since the

Great Depression (film). Carter certainly acknowledged that Ford was taking on a

country that was very different from coming in with a fresh start, and realized he was

blamed for things that were beyond his own actions (film). The first debate between the

two of them had technical difficulties that made the audio go out for almost 30 minutes

(film). Unprepared for how to act in the given situation and worried if their gestures were

interpreted as weakness, they both just stood there awkwardly the entire time (film).

Playboy had done an interview with Carter before the debate and Carter knew he would

have to answer some questions about it (film). In the interview he claimed to have

committed adultery in his heart and that God is aware of it and forgives him for it (film).

Even though he only claimed to commit this in his heart, it was a negative aspect of his

overall performance that could have lessened his total votes (film). In the second debate,

Ford’s response on a foreign policy question without a doubt hurt his campaign (film). In
fact, it was the biggest blunder in the debates (film). The Soviets dominated Eastern

Europe, Ford either lying to make his current government look better than it really was or

not understanding that the Soviets dominated much of Europe, claimed that they did not

dominate Europe (film). Later, Ford claimed that he was aware of the issue in Europe and

meant to say that countries don’t “consider” themselves dominated by the Soviet Union

(film). He meant that the Polish would never get their “spirit” dominated, but how he

worded his response could have easily cost him the presidency (film). Carter could have

capitalized on Ford’s mistake but he figured the news would cover it adequately (film). In

1976 Bob Dole and Walter Mondale debated for vice president (film). Dole was kind of a

“hatchet man” for Ford so that Ford was not forced to say things he did not mean (film).

Dole was known and remembered for his quick wit in general and even during the debate,

such as answering questions with humor regarding Watergate (film). His humor was

definitely intended to be light and funny but many people thought Dole was just mean

spirited and that may have harmed the results of the campaign (film). Mondale, on the

other hand, had a long reputation for believing and standing up for what typical

Democrats believed in (film). However, Mondale was very dull on camera which could

have hurt him in the election (film). The main performance mistake that Dole had made

was claiming that WWI, WWII, and the wars in Vietnam and Korea were Democrat wars

(film). While this was a basic Republican viewpoint, saying this certainly hurt his

campaign (film). By the end, Dole was perceived by the general public as a mean and

nasty man, because of this Mondale was almost sure that Dole would lose (film). In 1980

Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter and John Anderson were the top presidential candidates
(film). Reagan was running as a Republican, Carter as a Democrat and Anderson as an

Independent (film). Anderson was known for his aggressive approach to the energy crisis

and inflation (film). Reagan was known for his acting career and his speeches at General

Electric (film). Because of his amazing TV/camera experience, Carter, even with more

knowledge, knew Reagan would do better during the debates (film). Reagan wanted the

debate as close to voting as possible so that he could say memorable phrases without

getting fact checked, this was a common Republican tactic (film). Carter wanted 3 or 4

debates so that it could be revealed that Carter knew things and Reagan was just a good

TV personality (film). Carter did not agree to debate because he was vulnerable due to

the stagflation that Anderson could target (film). Also, it was logical to believe that every

time the public’s vote shifted to Anderson, it most likely got taken away from Carter,

therefore not affecting Reagan and harming Carter directly (film). Because of these facts,

Carter declined to debate (film). Anderson probably lost because of his plan to raise gas

taxes and American transportation, even though they were good for the environment

(film). Reagan claimed that inflation was caused by government spending more than

they took in, but later Reagan would become known for doing exactly this, but saying it

during the debates helped his overall performance (film). Finally, a week before election

day, Reagan and Carter had a debat, without Anderson (film). Because Anderson was not

there for this debate it certainly lost him any chance at the presidency (film). Carter made

a reference to nuclear weaponry and mentioned his daughter’s fears on the topic (film).

The media flipped this around to make it seem like Carter was getting political advice

from a child, this really hurt his run (film). While Reagan’s memorable lines like “there
you go again” helped his run (film). Also, one of his last questions, “are you better off

than you were four years ago?” may have helped him win, and now this line is used a lot

more often (film). The idea was that if the answer was no it was the fault of the opposing

president, and should reveal how the individual’s should vote (film). In 1984 Mondale,

Democrat, and Reagan, Republican, debated (film). Mondale wanted to show that he was

more alert that the current president, and focused on enormous deficits (film). After the

first debate, it seemed that Mondale had won, because Reagan’s performance was worse

than usual for him (film). Reagan says “there you go again,” again, this was memorable

and good for his run (film). Carter said he was going to cut medicare and reagan said the

line but ended up actually cutting medicare (film). But his ultimately ill-focused, and he

claims “overtrained,” performance was what hurt him the most (film). But by the second

debate he was ready and discussed nuclear weapons and how he wanted to reduce them

in the U.S. and Russia (film). Reagan’s old age was mentioned and Reagan turned the

question, claiming that Mondale’s “youth and inexperience” are worse than old age, the

audience liked this line and it may have helped him overall (film). But, if Mondale went

after Reagan’s age it may have ruined his reputation as a decent politician and could have

hurt him more than it would have helped him (film). Republican, George H.W. Bush, and

Democrat, Geraldine Ferraro, debated for vice president in 1984 (film). Ferraro was the

first woman to run for vice president (film). Bush hated debates and says they are

artificial (film). Ferraro served three terms in the House of Representatives (film). She

gained credibility from being the first women for both parties, otherwise not well known

politically (film). She had a huge responsibility being the first woman (film). Her
ultimate goal was to present who she was to the public, not necessarily to beat Bush

(film). Bush was very nervous and struggled saying things how he wanted to say them,

and that certainly could have harmed his run (film). Ferraro was not fully aware of

foreign policies and that could have hurt her run (film). Ferraro questioned Reagan’s

choices on the embassy in Lebanon, and claimed that Bush’s response was patronizing

her (film). She did not want to come off like this and it was not a rehearsed line, and it

may have harmed her in the end (film).

 Sources

1. When candidates said 'no' to debates

http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/30/opinion/greene-debates/index.html

2. LYNDON B. JOHNSON AND THE VIETNAM WAR

https://prde.upress.virginia.edu/content/Vietnam